The House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, made the decision to shut down the committee’s probe into Russian meddling and collusion with the Trump Campaign, according to NY-21 Rep. Elise Stefanik’s spokesman Tom Flanagin.

Stefanik, R-Willsboro, is a member of the intelligence committee.

“There wasn’t a vote,” Flanagin said about the Monday evening announcement. “Congresswoman Stefanik believes it’s time to give the American people the information they have obtained in order to protect our nation against further Russian attempts to influence our elections.”

Despite Flanagin’s contention that Conaway made the decision, other reports about the Republican move point to the majority committee as the decision-makers.

According to the one-page majority committee summary released on Monday night, “The House Intelligence Committee has completed a draft report of 150+ pages, with 600+ citations.” The summary is published on official committee letterhead.

Additionally, in a 22-page report, “Status of the Russia Investigation,” released on Tuesday evening by the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Ca., the majority committee decided to end the probe.

Schiff details an extensive list of witnesses that have not yet been interviewed and documents that have not yet been released, despite month’s-old requests for the documents. He said, in the 22-page status of the Russia investigation report, the majority decision was made without the consensus of the entire committee.

“This is representative of partisanship at its worst,” NY-21 Democratic challenger Don Boyajian, of Cambridge, said in a Tuesday afternoon interview. “This is an issue of national security. This is party over country and partisanship in the worst possible way. “

When pressed by The Post-Star for an interview with the congresswoman to clarify her position regarding the Russia probe, the committee ending the investigation and the committee’s decision along party lines, Flanagin said she was too busy, despite a 6:05 p.m., Monday, request.

“Unfortunately, her schedule today is committed to House Armed Services Committee work, constituent meetings and other media interviews on this topic,” Flanagin said on Tuesday. “I would refer you to her statement on this.”

According to her prepared statement, Stefanik, R-Willsboro, believes the Russians intended to interfere with the 2016 election process. But she did not say if she agreed or disagreed with the one-page intelligence committee majority report finding that there was “no evidence of collusion, coordination or conspiracy between the Trump campaign and the Russians.”

“I have been concerned about the politicization and leaks throughout this Congressional investigation, which is why I will continue to be an outspoken supporter of the Mueller investigation, which I believe is best equipped and our best hope to get to the apolitical truth,” Stefanik said in her statement on the issue.

“This is a classic Stefanik maneuver. Say one thing and do something else,” Boyajian said. “She tries to have it both ways with everything, health care, the environment. She tries to appear bipartisan. How can you make that vote (the release of the majority report) and then say the investigation is worthwhile?”

Boyajian continued.

“It’s not factually consistent with her actions,” he said. “It’s not only confusing, it’s a disservice to American people.”

Stefanik did talk to the Plattsburgh Press-Republican on Tuesday afternoon.

“I believe that we’ve seen evidence that Russia did seek to hurt the Hillary Clinton campaign,” she said to the Press-Republican. “I will continue to focus on this, both on the Intelligence Committee and in my capacity as the chair of Emerging Threats (subcommittee) to counter Russia’s undermining of democratic institutions and the electoral processes.”

The congresswoman also said in a release she believes the best way to get to the truth is through the Mueller investigation.

“I believe that they’re uniquely positioned. They have access to all witnesses and information,” she said to the Press-Republican. “They haven’t had to deal with executive privilege claims; and they haven’t had lapses in confidentiality.”

NY-21 constituent Joe Seeman of Saratoga County noted that Stefanik’s statement does not mention the majority committee conclusion.

“The House Intel Republicans spokesperson, Rep. Conaway, said that there was no evidence of collusion and that the Russians were not trying to help Trump win,” Seeman said. “But Stefanik’s statement completely omits any reference to these conclusions, although her statement includes a link to the Republicans’ statement.

“Why do you think Stefanik omitted the conclusions? Does she not agree with them? Could she be trying to falsely portray herself as somehow not part of this attempt to cover up for Trump and Putin in this unparalleled foreign attack on America’s democracy?” Seeman asked.

Watch this discussion.Stop watching this discussion.

(36) comments

"According to the one-page majority committee summary released on Monday night, “The House Intelligence Committee has completed a draft report of 150+ pages, with 600+ citations.” The summary is published on official committee letterhead."

Contrary to what Republicans want us to believe, this is not a bipartisan report in the long tradition of the Intelligence Committee.

Rather, it's a partisan piece of propaganda issued by House Intelligence Committee Republicans who are acting as Donald Trump's handmaidens.

Stefanik lacks the courage to speak to the Post Star on-the-record. And she lacks the courage to meet with constituents on-the-record. Not a good look for the House Armed Services Committee. Elise, if you can’t stand the heat...

Give it a break. This Russian investigation has dragged on for months, without one shred of conclusive evidence being discovered. This committee has wasted enough time and money. We have much bigger problems to work on. Put them back to work doing what they should be working on instead of running around looking for a "solution" to a "problem" that doesn't exist.

This Russian investigation has dragged on for months, without one shred of conclusive evidence being discovered. This committee has wasted enough time and money. We have much bigger problems to work on.

Starting nowhere in particular, the money spent on this isn't close to what Ken Starr spent.

How do you know there isn't a shred of evidence? There was enough to convict Papadopoulos, Gates and Flynn and to bring charges against Manafort and 13 Russian nationals. No evidence is really hard to understand in that context.

You don't consider it a problem if the president is in Putin's pocket. Short list: hasn't enacted the sanctions approved by Congress, nothing to say about British citizen murdered by Russia, giving TS intel to two Russian agents in the Oval Office to the detriment of Israel, excusing Russian interference in the election right up to the present day.

Is there a point at which you (and Elise Stefanik) stop defending him?

While have no love for Rep Stefanik I do feel sorry for Rep Schiff. He’s beating this collusion drum and the collusion is all on the Dem’s side. They bought and paid for the fake “dossier”. And no reports are filtering out that Obama also paid the same scammers $3,000,000 in 2012. What’s with you Dems? Just stand up and run on what you believe are better ideas. Free health care for all. Open borders. Bring all those wets in and get them registered to vote. Take the guns away from the crazies on the right. Etc. Etc. Etc. Be honest. Your ideas will sell. Yea, right.

After 18 months of intense scrutiny, unlimited funding and no bounds, the Mueller team has yet to produce one shred of evidence of collusion between Putin and Trump. It is time to put this to bed and get on with repairing the damage done by the previous administration. Restore the rule of law that thus nation is based upon.

You said, "Restore the rule of law that thus nation is based upon." [sic]

That is exactly what Republican and Former FBI Director Robert Mueller and his team are doing. Indictments so far include: George Papadopoulos, Michael Flynn, Paul Mannafort, Rick Gates, 13 Russian nationals and Russian companies, Richard Pinedo, and Alex vander Zwann - and he's getting closer and closer to identifying the ringleader of this treasonous cabal.

You may want to check your facts. The president's own Justice Department appointed Robert Mueller as special counsel on May 17, 2017. As of today, they've been working less than 10 months - not 18 months as you've suggested. And my guess is that things would be moving along much faster if those testifying under oath told "the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth." But alas, some have not (not a big surprise given their history, the nature of their involvement, and the crimes). Lying under oath, obviously impedes the progress of an investigation - but Mueller and his team seem unphased... they just keep marching closer and closer to the truth.

Not one of the indictments are evidence of Trump/Russian collusion. The Manafort and Gates financial charges were of the time when they were working with the Podesta Group. We know that Gates was an FBI asset, as well. van der Zwann, Papadopoulos & Flynn were charged with "lying to the FBI" about nothing that was criminal at all. And Pinedo sold bank accounts to some Russian internet trolls who, according to Facebook, conducted the vast majority of their crap postings after the election. There is not a shred of evidence linked to Trump.

The Title I FISA warrant on Carter Page (another FBI asset) was a way to establish Page as a "walking wiretap" in order to legitimatize ongoing illegal spying on the Trump campaign by the DOJ, NSA and FBI. If Page was flagged as an enemy agent of a foreign state, requiring the most serious warrant that can be issued, why is he on TV and not charged with anything?

So congratulations. Those falling for the Trump setup - led by the permanently entrenched intelligence and national security bureaucracy, and parroted with innuendo by the MSM - have helped to block any normalized relations with Russia and put the US in peril. God forbid that the lucrative livelihood provided by "evil Russia" be taken away from the intelligence/military/industrial complex. This isn’t about Trump. Hate him of love him - that’s irrelevant. What matters is that a powerful group of entrenched insiders is trying to exercise its assumed veto power over the people's selection of who gets to inhabit the White House. Open up your eyes and realize that is MOST dangerous to our form of government.

Fellow members of her committee,trey gowdy and tom flannigan both said yesterday that russia helped elect trump,but both can speak the truth as they are retiring.She has voted many times tyo hide trumps tax returns which is proof he is in bed with putin.Instead of being home listening to her constiuents,she was in russia trying to drum up support from her backers in russia.ITs time to get behind tedra cobb and elect one of our own

Day, after day, after day of attacks on Stefanik... Has the Post Star considered registering as a Political Action committee? She is a junior, junior representative with little power why continually bash her because she does not agree with YOU. A majority of her district agreed with her enough to elect her. And I am betting they will do so again... despite your campaign.

@Wannabe, Please don't forget that The Post Star enthusiastically endorsed Stefanik November 2016. It's hard to argue the newspaper is on a campaign against her. I think of it more like a campaign FOR THE TRUTH. And sometimes.... the truth hurts.

I don't know why she's so ineffective - I have some ideas, but I can't read her mind and I'm not in DC to watch how she works. But if the fact that she's so inexperienced and so powerless IS the reason she's so ineffective, I'm very open to electing a more experienced representative who is able to work powerfully on our behalf.

She is a junior, junior representative with little power why continually bash her because she does not agree with YOU. A majority of her district agreed with her enough to elect her. And I am betting they will do so again.

Can you define what a "junior, junior representative" is? She's on House Intelligence and House Armed Services. She's got enough power to help Nunes and Conaway try to tar DOJ and the FBI to throw shade for Trump.

If I wasn't a good Methodist I'd take you up on the bet. Conor Lamb won a House seat last night in a district Trump won by 20. He won NY21 by 14. Saccone was a terrible candidate but so is Stefanik.

How can Elise Stefanik expect any of her constituents to believe in her legitimacy here. In her press release speaking to this,( https://stefanik.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/stefanik-statement-hpsci-russia-investigation ), she literally lies in the very fist sentence and then continues there in... She really needs to resign...Let’s examin some facts that apparently our new unelected Congressmen Tom Flanagin seems to be ignoring...*“The committee has been crippled by partisan division for months.House Intelligence Committee Republicans completed the draft report without any input from Democrats, who were not able to see and weigh in on until the next day(Tuesday). In a statement Monday night, the panel's top Democrat, Rep. Adam Schiff, Calif., said the sight-unseen report was a "tragic milestone" and a "capitulation to the executive branch.Schiff argued last month that there was "ample evidence" of collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign, and in recent weeks, Mueller's probe has been gathering evidence that an early 2017 meeting in Seychelles was an effort to establish a back channel between the incoming administration and the Kremlin.Conclusions reached by the Republicans in their draft report represent a break with the U.S. intelligence community, which determined in January 2017 that part of the Kremlin's strategy was to help Trump's chances of winning. Democrats say there are thousands more pages of documents the committee never procured and dozens more witnesses they need to call for interviews - including several they say need to be subpoenaed for testimony after refusing to fully answer the panel's questions.Democrats want to determine whether Prince lied to the panel about his meeting with a Kremlin representative in Seychelles in January 2017. They've also been frustrated with former White House strategist Steve Bannon. Despite signals the committee would seek to hold him in contempt for refusing to answer questions related to the Trump administration and the transition period, that now appears unlikely. * With contribution from the Chicago Tribune.

"...I will continue to be an outspoken supporter of the Mueller investigation, which I believe is best equipped and our best hope to get to the apolitical truth,” Stefanik said in her statement on the issue."

Just to clarify DOJ's appointment of a Special Counsel, Mueller is tasked with investigating and prosecuting any federal crimes arising from the following:

(i) any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump; and

(ii) any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation; and

Mueller's mandate is purposefully broad. And he seems to be proceeding in a methodical and thorough manner, carefully preparing a foundation for relevant criminal charges, securing several guilty pleas and proceeding with several indictments of major Trump associates. Mueller clearly has not concluded his investigation, so it's premature (and foolish) to draw any conclusions one way or another.

Thanks Bob. Collusion is this word that Trump and his Cultists have latched onto that really means nothing at all. There isn't even a crime of collusion. Fortunately there are laws against money laundering, fraud, conspiracy, internet hacking, working with a foreign power to influence an election and many more.

Love all the folks here saying there's no evidence, let's wrap it up. I hope seeing Jared or Don Jr perpwalked will satisfy.

I’m so glad that Stefanik is concerned with “lapses in confidentiality.” What she is not mentioning is that the top Republican and Democratic members of the Senate Intelligence Committee held a meeting last month with House Speaker Paul Ryan to express concerns about the House Intelligence Committee, REPUBLICANS that where the ones who leaked a batch of Sen. Warner's text messages to Fox News soon after the House panel obtained transcripts of the texts.

Wait until she comes for you kids and grandkids to fight her faux wars,or she votes to take your parents or grandparents social security and Medicare.why would you vote for,please tell me why.shevotes against our environment, against our healthcare more guns,she backs sexual predators, wow,time to end her stay in dc

Of course another article where the Post Star asks congresswoman Stefanik to comment on the actions of Trump. A federal corruption trial for Cuomo’s best friend ends in a conviction- is the Post Star going to ask Woemer for a comment? Again, it’s your paper and you can print anything you want. Just stop insulting your reader when you claim to be fair and balanced.

the Post Star asks congresswoman Stefanik to comment on the actions of Trump. A federal corruption trial for Cuomo’s best friend ends in a conviction- is the Post Star going to ask Woemer for a comment?

You may have a point about asking Carrie Woerner for comment. I'll give you that.

The reason I think you may not have a point is that this is not about Trump's actions. It's about the actions of Stefanik and the rest of the Republican members of House Intelligence. Are they trying to cover up for Trump? At the very least, Nunes is.

Are you going to tell us that they're both corporate war parties, too? Some of us can distinguish between the policies put forth by the 2 parties and decide which one better aligns with our philosophy and values.

Here's Theresa May. Anyone see Trump taking similar actions or using similar language?

Predictably, Putin’s regime provided nothing of the sort, preferring its usual mocking tweets and sly denials with a wink and a nod, alongside nebulous threats. Therefore, today May announced that her government will expel 23 Russian “diplomats”—in reality, spies—from Britain as personae non gratae, and London will cease all high-level contacts with the Kremlin.

“They have treated the use of a military-grade nerve agent in Europe with sarcasm, contempt and defiance,” May stated about Russia, mincing no words: “Their response has demonstrated complete disdain for the gravity of these events. They have provided no credible explanation.” She added that there was no room for “serious criminals and corrupt elites” in Britain, and the large and wealthy Russian émigré population in the country should expect scrutiny, threatening to “freeze Russian state assets wherever we have the evidence that they may be used to threaten the life or property of UK nationals or residents.”

Welcome to the discussion.

Comments will not be posted if any of the following rules are
violated:
- Comments must be contained to the topic of the articles only.
- Comments must be civil in tone and cannot contain personal
insults directed toward another reader.
- Profanities cannot be used, including abbreviations or
acronyms.
- Comments critical of crime or accident victims, or imply guilt
are not allowed.
- Comments that are potentially libelous, including those that
contain accusations not supported by facts are not allowed.
- Comments that appear to be taunting others who comment are not
allowed.
- Comments should be brief and never more than 1,000 characters.